Residents enjoying themselves during last year's Nashua Summer Stroll. Courtesy photo/City of Nashua

NASHUA – Residents are invited to downtown Nashua to enjoy the Nashua Summer Stroll from 3-8 p.m. on July 26.

After a successful inaugural event last summer with 4,000 attendees, the event is doubling its footprint and expanding to cover more of Main Street, with more vendors and more activities.

This city-organized event is in partnership with Positive Street Art and will have a strong art and maker focus on the activities and vendors. PSA will take over a large portion of Main Street and the lawn at supporter Main Street Methodist Church, with live art battles and art and swag for purchase. There are also several fun things planned for families including a chalk-paint car donated by Best Ford, painted gratis by Precision Collision for attendees to decorate and a paint-splatter tent that will be messy fun for those who dare.

Main Street will be closed at 1:30 p.m. from the Factory Street/Temple Street intersection to Eldridge Street. Detours will be well-marked and managed by emergency personnel. Main Street will reopen at 9 p.m.

Nearly 80 vendor tents, many food trucks and treat purveyors and activities will be set up for attendees to walk around and enjoy starting at 3 p.m. The expanded Kidzone will be at the Bagel Alley end of the event, featuring fun foods, the PSA paint-splatter tent, live performances from The Actorsingers, costumed characters, police horses to meet, balloon twisting from Dan’s Balloons and a mobile gaming van.

Attendees can also check out the new Neighborhood Block Party Trailer, available for rent by the Department of Economic Development. The 20-foot trailer includes a fold-down stage, sound equipment, lawn games, tables and chairs so communities can rent the party and foster neighborhood gatherings.

“We’re excited to expand our Nashua Summer Stroll due to the huge success of last year’s first event,” said Elizabeth Hannum, director of Economic Development. “We hope even more families will come down and spend the afternoon exploring our event and our local businesses.”

The organizers thank the sponsors, as this is funded from sponsorships and vendor fees. The sponsors are Heritage Home Services, Triangle Credit Union, School of Rock Nashua, DCU, NY Life and the in-kind sponsor Main Street Methodist Church.

Live music will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the city’s mainstage, which will be set up at the Pearl/Main intersection. The schedule is as follows:

3:30-4:30 p.m.: The FAR gets the energy going with hot hits and pop favorites.

4:30-5 p.m.: Theo Martinez, HTM Dance, will give free dance lessons right in the street.

5-6 p.m.: El Grupo Chevere takes the stage – now you can use what you learned.

6:30-8 p.m.: 4 R Souls drives it home with expert precision covers of classic rock.

Positive Street Art then holds “the official after-party of the Nashua Summer Stroll” at Martha’s Exchange, beginning right after the live outdoor music. This two-floor event at Martha’s will feature your favorite party/club music from the 80s, 90s and beyond, and is sure to end your night with a bang. Tickets available online at https://shorturl.at/R66gV.

Attendees can park for free at the two nearby multi-level parking garages on High Street/Factory Street and on Elm Street or on side-street parking. No Parking signs will go up on the two blocks of the event site, so please be aware if you are downtown earlier on that day.